Incorporating Multiculturalism in Medical Decisional Capacity Assessment

Yuko Yamato

Date of Award

7-20-2010

Document Type

Undergraduate Capstone Project

Degree Name

Psy.D.

Organizational Unit

Graduate School of Professional Psychology

First Advisor

Lavita Nadkarni

Second Advisor

Shelly Smith-Acuña

Third Advisor

Michelle Dawson

Keywords

Assessment, Multicultural awareness, Culturally diverse geriatric population

Abstract

As the demography of the U.S. population becomes increasingly older and culturally diverse, psychologists must develop greater multicultural competency and abilities to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate clinical services. This paper focuses on the dire need for the development of multicultural approach to medical decisional capacity evaluation. The purpose of this paper is to examine the common clinical and ethical dilemmas faced by psychologists when evaluating culturally diverse geriatric population. For instance, the lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate cognitive and functional assessment measures with sound reliability, validity, and normative properties is discussed in detail. This paper introduces possible solutions to the dilemmas and aims to ultimately contribute to increased multicultural awareness within the U.S. healthcare system.

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. Permanently suppressed.

Extent

30 pages

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